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Department of Environmental Studies
Department of Environmental Studies Mission Statement It is our goal to increase awareness and appreciation of human connections with the rest of the natural world, and to stimulate advocacy for harmonious behaviors. The liberal arts curriculum stresses sound interdisciplinary understanding of the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities in order to explore past, present, and potential ways of living on  the
earth. We are concerned with environmental issues at local, regional,
national, and global levels, and we especially desire to help communities
practice sustainable living by means of our teaching, research and
service. Faculty and students collaborate in active and critical learning
through community discourse, personal inquiry, and experiential learning.
We intend that our students develop a personal, aesthetic awareness
of the earth, and that they engage in the inquiry, discovery, critical
thinking, and debate that characterizes the study of environmental
issues in the world.Philosophy Because the study of environmental issues requires knowledge from a wide range of subjects, the Department of Environmental Studies (DES) maintains a firm commitment to interdisciplinary education in our curriculum. DES Core courses utilize knowledge and concepts drawn from the basic sciences as well as from the humanities and social sciences. Upper-division DES courses investigate environmental questions through disciplines such as literature, anthropology, economics, biology, political science, chemistry, physics, and ecology. Through all four years, our curriculum develops the skills necessary for dealing with environmental problems: writing, speaking, critical thinking, computing, research techniques, and media arts. The Environmental Studies Program prepares students to become informed citizens, competent professionals, and lifelong learners. Major Programs The department offers majors in environmental science and environmental studies. Both build upon a sound foundation in basic science, and both provide broad explorations of human interaction with the environment. During the first two years, course requirements are identical. The difference between the two majors emerges during the final two years in course selection: environmental science emphasizes scientific aspects of environmental questions, while environmental studies emphasizes humanistic, social, and political aspects. During the first year DES majors take courses in Environmental Issues, General Biology, and Literature, Nature & Biology as part of the Green Learning Community. (See below.) This two-semester program uses an interdisciplinary framework to explore fundamental themes of environmental studies. Moreover, it develops academic and affective skills necessary for successful college learning and collaborative professional work. During the second year DES students look more deeply into the nature of environmental issues by taking courses in Population, Conservation and Preservation, and Pollution. In addition, the Conservation Field Lab teaches conservation field skills as well as data analysis and communication arts. These interdisciplinary environmental issues courses ensure a broad understanding while preparing students for more advanced study. In the third and fourth years students, aided by a faculty advisor, choose advanced courses according to their interests and career plans. Environmental science majors choose science electives in biology, chemistry, physics, marine biology, and psychobiology, as well as environmental science. Environmental studies majors in the third and fourth years choose advanced courses from the following distribution groups: Conservation and Preservation Environmental Policy Arts, Humanities, and Values Global Ecology and Social Justice In both majors, the advanced courses not only stress deeper understanding, but also involve problem solving. Some courses examine the ways that human attitudes affect our environment, while other courses deal with hands-on tasks such as designing a conservation area, restoring a natural ecosystem, or considering technologies to reduce pollution. In order to ensure an intense direct experience of the natural world, the department offers a variety of field study courses, and requires all majors to take at least one. The curriculum culminates with the Senior Capstone in Environmental Studies in which students apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired to a significant environmental question. The Green Learning Community As mentioned above, all entering first-year environmental students participate in a year-long learning community focused on the fundamental themes of environmental studies. The Green Learning Community integrates courses as follows: 8 credits for biology, 3 credits for literature, 3 credits for environmental studies and 2 credits for an integrating seminar experience--for a total of 16 credits over two semesters. This interdisciplinary approach enables students to understand more clearly the relationships between environmental issues, biology and humanities and at the same time improve skills in critical thinking, writing, oral communication, research, and use of computers. Experiential learning activities are central. Internships and Careers Internships provide students with an opportunity to practice learned skills in an actual work environment with the guidance of a DES internship coordinator, who helps students match their interests with a work experience that might take place locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally. Internships provide career exploration, and can help establish professional networks that lead to career opportunities upon graduation. The interdisciplinary nature of environmental studies is reflected in the wide variety of careers open to graduates, such as air and water resource management, ecological restoration, education, habitat conservation, park management, toxicology, field research, journalism, environmental advocacy, environmental impact assessment, law and regulation, and environmental health. Our graduates enter both masters and doctoral programs in several of these fields. Honors Program In cooperation with the Department of Biological Sciences the department offers select students the opportunity to perform independent study and research. Students with exemplary academic performance during their first year are invited to enroll in a series of honors seminars designed to introduce them to the research process, help them identify research interests, and aid their development of a thesis proposal. After gaining approval for the thesis topic by the Honors Committee, students conduct their research projects under the guidance of a faculty mentor. After the thesis is accepted by the Honors Examining Committee, the student earns the right to graduate "With Honors." Center for Sustainable Communities The Center for Sustainable Communities (CSC) is an internship and service learning program that creates mutually beneficial partnerships between students and environmental organizations in the communities surrounding the Biddeford campus. Through hands-on involvement with local governments, non-profit organizations, and community groups, students are able to field test academic learning in situations that make tangible the challenge to " think globally, act locally." The most significant partner organization is the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve. Its mission, research and education about coastal environments, attracts DES faculty researchers as well as student interns. Double Majors It is possible for DES students to add a second major or a minor in areas such as marine biology, medical biology, political science, history, sociology, and English. DES students interested in a double major should consult with their DES faculty advisor, who in turn will coordinate with an advisor from the second major. Teaching Certification The Department of Environmental Studies collaborates with the Department of Education so that environmental majors can acquire secondary science teaching credentials, and, upon graduation, be prepared to teach in public schools. See specific course requirements in the catalogue section devoted to "Department of Education." Core Curriculum Since 1991 the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences has defined environmental aawareness as a major theme in the College's Core Curriculum, and asked the Department of Environmental Studies to deliver the course Introduction to Environmental Issues to all undergraduates regardless of major. The UNE undergraduate college is one of the few in the nation that requires formal instruction in environmental studies as a requirement for graduation.
Course requirements for the two majors follow, along with lists of science electives, environmental studies distribution requirements, and field studies courses. All courses that fulfill major requirements in environmental studies and environmental sciences, including both DES courses and required courses in math and sciences must be completed with a minimal grade of C-.
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Studies
Science Electives
Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog The University of New England reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances. While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements. Back to Top |
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